Health:


Worming Program

The health of children in Uganda is altered by a number of circumstances including poor nutrition and poor sanitation. Though growing conditions are favorable crops or produce are often sold for other needs of the family and children are left with little protein to eat. In addition to poor diet children ages ages 1 to 14 are particularly vulnerable to intestinal worm infestation leading to anemia, stunted growth, poor intellectual development and damage to vital organs. These parasites enter the body through various means but can easily be treated.

In 2008 Adopt Uganda began by treating 3,000 children with Albendazole twice a year to kill the worms and prevent this chronic condition. By the end of 2008 10,000 children were receiving the medicine. When asked how successful this treatment had been one pastor responded, "I usually bury 2-3 children a month, and since we started the treatment I haven't buried a single child. They all have so much more energy." With increased funding we will be able to treat many more children in southeast Uganda.

Accompanying this treatment is the training of rural Ugandan women in identifying malnutrition and adequate diet for the health of their children. This training also includes proper sanitation practices to help cut down on the spread of diseases in the home.